12 Years Later, Commemorating Sept. 11

Wednesday marks the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with events planned across the nation to commemorate the tragedy.

Updated Sept. 11, 2013 9:39 p.m. ET

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A note is left on a name at the North Pool of the National September 11 Memorial. Wednesday marks the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with events planned across the nation to commemorate the tragedy.
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Carrie Bergonia of Pennsylvania looks over the name of her fiance, firefighter Joseph Ogren at the National September 11 Memorial. The official New York City tribute began at the memorial plaza at the World Trade Center site. Wednesday morning, the names of the 2,983 victims lost in 2001 and the bombing of the site in 1993 were read.
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Grissel Valentin, left, and Eileen Esquilin, who both lost family members and are both from New York, embrace at the edge of the North Pool at the National September 11 Memorial.
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Members of Congress sang the national anthem on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. In the front row, are from left, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of Calif., House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.
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A visitor walks through the 'Empty Sky' memorial to New Jersey's victims of the attacks. One World Trade Center is visible across the Hudson River.
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Elena and Elissa Tong mourn Thomas Tong at the National September 11 Memorial. Hundreds of families gathered at the memorial, hoisting balloons, pictures and signs into the air as names are read.
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A family member of the victims of the attack on the Pentagon visits the memorial site before an observance ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. President Barack Obama and other leaders spoke at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial.
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A girl wipes her face after reading the name of her father at the National September 11 Memorial.
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A woman cries during a ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial.
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People gather around the South Tower pool during memorial ceremonies marking the 12th anniversary of the attacks.
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A woman holds a picture of a firefighter during ceremonies at the National September 11 Memorial.
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A picture of New York City firefighter James Crawford, one of the thousands of people who died in the attacks, is seen at the National September 11 Memorial.
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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden observe a moment of silence to mark the anniversary at the White House in Washington, D.C.
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Daniel Henry, a Port Authority of New York/New Jersey police officer, observes a moment of silence at 9:01 a.m. at the South reflecting pool at the National September 11 Memorial plaza.
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Ron Joy makes a rubbing of his friend's name, New York City Firefighter Capt. Vincent Giammona, on the wall of names at the South reflecting pool.
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Steven Campbell pauses to remember his wife, Jill Maurer-Campbell, during the ceremony. With so many years having passed since the attacks, many of the relatives who read names stopped to tell their missing loved ones about milestones.
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People observe a moment of silence honoring the victims of the attacks at the National September 11 Memorial.
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Jared Earley, a senior criminal justice major at Penta Career Center, pauses Wednesday while holding a flag before the start of the school's annual Patriot Day ceremony in Perrysburg Township, Ohio.
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